BIBDS STEIGTNAE — OTUS WIL80NIAIJUS. 



53 



numerous irregular transverse lines and points of the same. Under parts paler or ashy white, with longitudinal stripes of 

 brownish black, and with irregular lines of the same ; flanks and sides, tinged with pale fulvous. Quills brown, with several 

 transverse bands of pale reddish white, assuming the form of quadrangular spots on the outer webs, and pale reddish ashy on 

 the inner webs. Tail ashy brown, with about ten narrow transverse bands on all, except the two central feathers, well defined 

 on the outer webs ; scapular feathers and some of the greater coverts of the wings edged with white ; bill greenish horn color ; 

 tip yellowish ; irides yellow. 



young-. — Entire plumage rufous ; darker on the head, with longitudinal stripes of brownish black ; middle of the abdomen, 

 and under tail coverts white ; tarsi rufous. 



Dimensions. — Total length Tj to 8 inches, wing 6, tail 3 inches. 



Hab. — Western and Southern North America. 



This species is not only related to the common Scops asio of North America, but also to Scops 

 choliba of South America, and other species of thin continent. From S. asio, it can readily be 

 distinguished by its smaller size and the different shade of color and style of markings, being 

 darker above, and having the transverse lines on the under surface better defined and more 

 numerous . 



In the present collection are two specimens only of this interesting species, both from Texas, 

 and in mottled plumage. In the collection made by the Mexican Boundary Commission there 

 is a specimen of this bird in red plumage, like that of S. asio, and is that above described. 



A red specimen from Florida we doubtfully refer to the same species. 



List of specimens. 



OTUS, Cuvier. 



Ofits, CnviER, Regne Animal, 1, p. 327. (1817.) 

 General form longer and more slender than in the preceding genera. Head moderate ; ear tufts long, erectile ; bill rather 

 short, curved from the base ; facial disc more perfect than in the preceding. Wings long ; tail moderate ; tarsi and toes covered 

 with short feathers ; claws long, curved. Eyes rather small, and surrounded by radiating feathers. 



This genus contains ten or twelve species of various countries ; all of which are more hand- 

 some birds than are usually met with in this family. 



OTUS WILSONIANUS, Lesson. 



The Long-Eared Owl. 



0(us Wilionianm, Lesson, Traite d'Orn. I, p. 110. (1831.) 

 Ol\t,s AmtrKcanus, Bonap. Comp. List, p. 7. (1838.) 

 Slrtx Amtricana, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 288. (1788.') 

 S/rti perijrinotor, Bartram, Travels, p. 289. (1790?) 

 PiODHEs.— Wilson Am. Orn. VI, pi. 51, fig. 1 ; Aud. B. of Am., pi. 383 : Oct ed. I, pi. 37 : Nat. Hist. New York, Birds, pi. 

 11, fig. 24. 



Ear tufts long and conspicuous ; eyes rather small ; wings long ; tarsi and toei densely feathered. Upper parts mottled with 



